On this edition, “It Ain’t Necessarily So.” Classical favorites revised, reworked, and reimagined for the Heifetz Institute stage. Featuring great works by Gershwin, Dvorak, Manuel de Falla, and even a Beethoven Symphony in unique Heifetz Institute performances.
This Episode’s Playlist
Go Deeper
Heifetz Artistic Director Nicholas Kitchen has become increasingly well-know for his fascinating insights into the music of Ludwig von Beethoven. Register online to view his May 22 talk, “Nicholas Kitchen Rediscovers Beethoven,” presented by the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.
“A pop song about the prominent violinists of the day? It seems hard to imagine now. But around 1921 George and Ira Gershwin wrote Mischa, Jascha, Toscha, Sascha, a lighthearted ditty about four great Jewish Russian violinists who were well known at the time: Mischa Elman, Jascha Heifetz, Toscha Seidel, and Sascha Jacobsen…” Explore more about the Jascha Heifetz – Gershwin connection in this excellent post from “The Listener’s Club” by Timothy Judd.
“His transcriptions, arrangements and commissioned works have helped shaped the modern cello repertoire. His artistic flare created a rare musical excitement which left an indelible impression on all those who heard him.” Discover more about the remarkable life and career of the Ukrainian-born cellist (and frequent Jascha Heifetz collaborator!) Gregor Piatagorsky, whose arrangement of Manuel De Falla’s Ritual Fire Dance is featured in this episode